JOHANNESBURG – The family of 28-year-old Zimbabwean national Gracious Nkomo has positively identified her as one of the women whose bodies have been discovered in the Ekurhuleni area amid a widening investigation into the deaths of at least nine women since July.

Nkomo had been missing for more than 10 days before her family received confirmation of her death.

Her body was discovered partially clothed along the R21 in Kempton Park on 10 September 2026, making her the third woman found in the area that day.

Her family identified her at the Germiston Mortuary on Thursday, ending their search for the missing Zimbabwean woman.

Nkomo’s identification comes as police investigate a series of killings involving women whose bodies have been found across Ekurhuleni, including Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, KwaThema and Boksburg.

The discovery of a ninth woman’s body in Dawn Park, Boksburg, on 17 September brought the number of women found dead in the wider investigation to nine.

Police are investigating possible links between some of the cases, but authorities have not confirmed that the same person or group committed all nine deaths.

Nkomo is the fourth victim to be formally identified in the wider investigation.

Police have urged families of missing women to come forward to assist with the identification process.

Acting National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane, said a multidisciplinary team of investigators was working around the clock to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and identify those responsible.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Gracious Nkomo during this extremely difficult time,” Dimpane said.

“Our investigators remain seized with these cases, and we will continue to pursue every available lead to ensure that those responsible for these murders are brought to justice.”

SAPS has intensified policing operations in Kempton Park as investigations into Nkomo’s death and the other cases continue.